NEW ORLEANS — The Atlanta Hawks managed to end their four-game losing streak with a solid 126-111 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday evening, led by Jalen Johnson’s impressive 29-point performance.
The Pelicans faced a considerable challenge as their star forward, Zion Williamson, was unexpectedly sidelined due to right hamstring tightness, just moments before the game began. This left Brandon Ingram as the only regular starter available for the team.
Ingram did put forth a strong effort, scoring 32 points, but his contributions were not sufficient to overcome a well-balanced Hawks team, which featured six players with at least 11 points each. Among them, Trae Young contributed 23 points, and Dyson Daniels, who returned from two games off due to injury, added 16 points for Atlanta. Additionally, Larry Nance Jr. tallied 14 points against his former team.
New Orleans entered the contest without several key players, including starters Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, and Herb Jones, as well as significant reserve Trey Murphy III. The Hawks also had their share of absentees, notably De’Andre Hunter and rotational players Bogdan Bogdanovic, Vit Krejci, and Kobe Bufkin due to injuries.
Takeaways from the game included a clear sense of satisfaction from Daniels and Nance, who demonstrated their delight in performing well against the franchise that traded them in a deal that brought Murray to New Orleans last offseason. Nance even blew a kiss towards the Pelicans’ bench after scoring a three-pointer late in the third period, while Daniels celebrated a three-pointer with a hand gesture that appeared to mimic shooting at the New Orleans bench.
The Pelicans’ younger players showed effort but struggled to keep pace with the Hawks. Fill-in starter Jordan Hawkins managed to score 19 points, while reserves Brandon Boston Jr. and Jamal Cain each added 14 points.
A pivotal moment in the match occurred when the Hawks surged ahead with a 14-0 scoring run midway through the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 116-97. It was David Roddy who sparked the run with a three-pointer, while Johnson showcased his athleticism with three dunks during this scoring spree.
A critical statistic from the game revealed that the Pelicans were significantly outscored in the paint, with a tally of 66-32 against them.
Looking ahead, the Hawks are set to face the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, in their next matchup on Monday evening. Meanwhile, the Pelicans will also be in action on the same night as they prepare to host the Portland Trail Blazers, marking the second game of a back-to-back schedule.